s or
countries, that have been particularly distinguished for wealth or
power, is the first of the sort that ever was engraved, and has,
therefore, not yet met with public approbation.

It is constructed to give a distinct view of the migrations of commerce
and of wealth in general. For a very accurate view, there are no
materials in existence; neither would it lead to any very different
conclusion, if the proportional values were ascertained with the
greatest accuracy.

I first drew the Chart in order to clear up my own ideas on the
subject, finding it very troublesome to retain a distinct notion of the
changes that had taken place. I found it answer the purpose beyond my
expectation, by bringing into one view the result of details that are
dispersed over a very wide and intricate field of universal history;
facts sometimes connected with each other, sometimes not, and always
requiring reflection each time they were referred to. I found the first
rough draft give =sic= me a better

---
{4} The Charts, Nos. 3 and 4, were copied in Paris, before the
revolution, and highly approved of by the Academy of Sciences. No. 2,
though of late invention, has been copied in France and Germany. Of
No. 1, the public has yet to judge, and, perhaps, it will treat me with
indulgence and good nature, as on former occasions.
-=-

[end of page #xv]

comprehension of the subject, than all that I had learnt from
occasional reading, for half of my lifetime; and, on the supposition
that what was of so much use to me, might be of some to others, I have
given it with a tolerable degree of accuracy.

No. 2, relates entirely to the present state of nations in Europe, and
the extent, revenue, and population, as represented, are taken from the
most accurate documents. Where statistical writers differed, I
followed him who appeared to me the most likely to be right.

Nos. 3 and 4, relate entirely to England, and are drawn from the most
accurate documents.

Opposite to each Chart are descriptions and explanations.

The reader will find, five minutes attention to the principle on which
they are constructed, a saving of much labour and time; but, without
that trifling attention, he may as well look at a blank sheet of paper
as at one of the Charts.

I know of nothing else, in the Book, th